The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Augustine
AVGVSTINVS
The Life of Augustine, who dyed An. Christi 430.
AVgustine was an African by birth of Thagasta, His birth and parentage.of pious parents, Patricius and Monica, who by breeding their son in Learning much weakned their estate: He attained to singular skill in the liberal Arts, wherein he was much holpen by the bountiful contribution of Romanian, a Noble Gentleman: In his youth, he was vitious in manners, and erroneous in judgement; tainted with the Error of the Manichees. He first taught Grammer in his own City where he was born: Then Rhetorick in the Regal City of Carthage; Afterwards he went to Rome, and from thence to Millain, where he was Tutor to Valentinian the Fifth; And by the Doctrine and Wisdom of Ambrose, He is reclaimed by Ambrose.he was reduced from his Error, and Baptized: after which, he wholly set his heart to seek the Lord, regarding neither honour nor riches, being then about thirty years old: This much rejoyced Monica his Mother, then a Widdow, who was more glad that her son devoted himself to the Service of God, then she would have been of having Grand-children by him: He also gave over reading of Rhetorick, leaving his Scholars to seek them a new Master. After this he returned into Africa, Preachers pattern.spent his time in Watchings, Fastings, and Prayer, serveing God both day and night, and at last was chosen Minister in Hippo, where he Preached both by Life and Doctrine diligently.
But before this it fell out that a certain Great man at Hippo, hearing the fame of Augustine, both for his Life and Learning, was very desirous to see and speak with him, promising to himself that he should easily be perswaded to forsake the World with the allurements of it, and all the lusts of the flesh, if he could but once hear the Word of God taught by him: which when Augustine was informed of by faithful witnesses,His zeal. being desirous to deliver a soul from the perils of this life, and eternal death hereafter, he hasted to Hippo, where he visited and often preached to the man, exhorting him to remember his promise, and to perform his Vows to God; yet he deferred the performance of it from day to day; neither did Augustine at that time see his desires accomplished. At this time one Valerius was Bishop of Hippo, who (the necessity of the Church requiring it) was very solicitous to procure a Minister for that place: whereupon when the Congregation was assembled, he exhorted and perswaded them, seeing they now had experience of the Life and Doctrine of Augustine, to make choice of him: Augustine not suspecting any such matter, was present amongst them. Hereupon the people laid hold of him, and presented him to the Bishop, all of them with one heart and, mouth earnestly desirng that he might be their Minister.His humility. At this Augustine wept very much, which some of them misinterpreting, laboured to comfort him, saying, that though he deserved a better place, yet being called to the Ministry, he was in the next degree to a Bishop; whereas indeed the cause of his weeping was, because he foresaw how many and great perils hung over his head by undertaking the Government of that Church: Thus being made a Presbyter for that place,He is made a Presbyter in Hippo. he associated to himself some others which might live with him according to the example of the Primitive Church, having all things in common. Valerius the Bishop being a very godly man, rejoyced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God for answering his Prayers, by such a special Providence sending him one so able by his Doctrine to edifie the Church of Christ: and this he did the rather, because himself being by Nation a Grecian, was not so fit nor able to instruct that people as was Augustine; and contrary to the use and custom of the African Churches, he permitted, yea urged Augustine often to Preach in his own presence; for which some other Bishops reproached him: But this Venerable and good man, knowing that it was usual in the Eastern Churches, and seeking the glory of God and the good of the People, regarded not the reproaches of evil tongues, whilest his Minister did that which himself was less apt and fit to do: By this means Augustine like a bright candle set in a candlestick,His diligence. gave light to all that were in the house. The fame of this thing flying abroad, was the occasion that many Presbyters being allowed by their Bsishops, Preached the good Word of God to the People in the Bishops presence.
At this time the Manichaean Heresie had infected many, both Citizens and Strangers in the City of Hippo, being deceived by a certain Pestilent Heretick, by name Fortunatus, a Presbyter, remaining in that City: Hereupon many of those Citizens and Strangers, both Catholicks and Donatists come to Augustine, requesting him to confer and dispute with this Manichaean Presbyter (whom they judged a learned man) about his opinions: who willingly imbraced the motion, being ready to render a reason of the Faith, and Hope that was in him, to every one that should ask it: as also not only to exhort with wholesome word of sound Doctrine; but to convince the gainsayers: But he enquired whether Fortunatus, was willing to do the like? Hereupon they hasted to Fortunatus, exhorting, perswading, and earnestly intreating him to imbrace the motion. But truly Fortunatus was very fearful to encounter with Augustine, whom he had formerly known at Carthage infected with the same Error. But being overcome by their importunity, and ashamed to decline the encounter, he promised to give Augustine a meeting, and to dispute with him. The time and place being appointed, multitudes flocked to it; publick Notaries were appointed to write down what passed;He disputes with a Donatist. the Disputation continued two days: the event was that this Master of the Manichees was neither able to overthrow the Catholick Faith, nor to defend his own Erroneous opinions: and so wanting an Answer, he which before was accounted a great and learned man, was now judged of no value nor ability to defend his Errors; which did so fill him with confusion and shame, that presently after he forsook Hippo, and never after returned again.The success of it. And so, through the blessing of God upon Augustines labors, many who before were infected with that Error, were reclaimed, and imbraced the true Catholick Faith.
Augustine continued to Preach the Word of Truth frequently, both in the Church and from house to house,His zeal against Heresies. confuting the Heresies of the times, especially the Donatists, Manichees, and Pelagians: The same also he did by his writings, the Christians wonderfully admiring and rejoycing in it: so that through Gods blessing the Catholick Church in Africk began to lift up her head, which formerly had been wonderfully corrupted and dejected by reason of Hereticks, especially through the Rebaptizings of the Donatists, whereby they had infected and seduced many. Augustines Books also and Tractates being dispersed, filled with Learning and the Authority of the Holy Scriptures, so prevailed through the Grace of God, that not only the Catholicks, but many Hereticks flocked to Hippo to hear him: and every one that could write, or get others to do it for them, wrote forth his Notes for their future benefit: so that the sweet smell of the Doctrine of Chirst was by this means dispersed all over Africk, which the Churches beyond-Sea hearing of much rejoyced therein: for as when one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; so when one member is honoured, all the members rejoyce with it.
At the same time the African Bishops holding a Synod at Hippo, He disputes in a Synod.by their command Augustine being yet but a Presbyter disputed before them of Faith, and the Creed, which he performed to the joy of them all, especially of the good old Bishop Valerius, who gave much thanks to God for his mercy vouchsafed to him therein: and fearing least some other City which wanted a Bishop should choose Augustine, and so get him away from him (which indeed had come to pass unless Valerius hearing of it, had caused Augustine to go to another place, and there hide himself, so that when they sought him he could not be found) wherefore this good old man, fearing the like again, and finding himself much weakned by Age, wrote privately to the Primate of Carthage, alleadging the weakness of his body, and the infirmities of his old Age, and therefore desired that Augustine might be made his Coadjutor in the Bishoprick of Hippo, which by his importunity he also obtained: So that the Primate coming to visit the Church of Hippo, and bringing some other Bishops with him, Valerius before them all, and before all the people which were assembled together, declared publickly his desire; which they all approved very well of, and the People earnestly desired that it might be effected: but Augustine refused the Bishoprick, being contrary to the custom of the Church whilest his own Bishop lived. But many perswaded him that it was not such an unusual thing, producing many examples both of the forreign and African Churches for it,He is made Bishop of Hippo. so that he was forced to yeeld his consent, and was ordained to the charge of the Bishoprick. And when he was thus ordained a Bishop he Preached the Word of Life more frequently, fervently, and with greater authority then he did before, and that not only in his own City and Country, but in all places where he was requested, whereby the Church of God exceedingly encreased: Many also of the Donatists frequented his Sermons, took Notes, and carryed them to their Bishops, which when they had read, they used to contradict; but they that carryed them, either answered them themselves, or else carryed their answers to Augustine who with much meekness and gentleness confirmed the Truth, and reselled their Errors.
He also wrote many private Letters to the Bishops and many principal Laymen of the Donatists, admonishing and exhorting them that they would either reform their Errors, or come to a publick Disputation: but they, distrusting their own cause, would never write back to him again, but being enraged with anger, used to exclaim against, and both publickly and privately to rail upon Augustine as a deceiver of souls, and that as a Wolf he ought to be slain in defence of the Flock, and without all shame,The malice of the Schismaticks. neither fearing God nor men, they proclaimed that whosoever would murther him should without all doubt have all their sins remitted unto them.
These Donatists had in their Churches a perverse and violent kinde of men, who went up and down under the pretence of chastity,The Circumcellians. who were called Circumcelliones; and there were very great numbers of these who were dispersed through all the Regions of Africk: These being instructed by evill Teachers, were so inflamed with Pride, and grew to such audacious boldness, that many times they neither spared their own nor other men, requiring them to do things against all right and reason; and if any one opposed them, he was sure either to be soundly beaten, or basely murthered by them, they being usually armed with sundry weapons, raging up and down through Villages and Countries, having no fear to shed blood. But whilst the Word of God was diligently Preached, and Peace was endeavoured to be held with these haters of Peace, they committed many acts of hostility: And whilst the Truth was made known against their Erroneous opinions, they which were Lovers of Truth shunned their society, and endeavoured to preserve the unity of Truth in the bond of Peace.They persecute the Orthodox, especially Ministers. Hence it came to pass that these men, seeing their number to be deminished, and envying the encrease of the Church, being incensed with extream anger, raised intolerable persecutions against the true members of Jesus Christ, often setting upon the godly Ministers both by night and day, and many times robbing them of all they had; and not contented therewith they often murthered them: and often threw Lime and Vinegar into their Eyes to blinde them: for which cause these Rebaptizing Donatists grew hateful to their own Disciples: So that (through Gods mercy) the Word of God prevailed the more in Hippo by the Ministry of Augustine and his Colleagues: and the fame thereof spreading abroad, many Cities sent to chuse their Bishops out of that Society, which exceeding…y conduced towards the furtherance of the Peace of the Church. He Preached and writ also very learnedly against the Donatists, Pelagians, and other Hereticks, whereby the African Churches recovered their ancient splendor. He went not so willingly to a Feast as to a conference to reduce any that erred. He would not receive gifts to the Church from those which had poor kindred of their own.
Augustines Books also being dispersed, and some of them translated into Greek, and sent beyond-Sea into the Eastern Churches, were means of very much good. But these things so much the more enraged the Circumcellions, insomuch as whenThe malice of Schismaticks. Augustine went abroad to Preach to and visit his Churches, which he frequently used to do, they often lay in wait for him by the way to have murthered him, and had certainly one time effected it, but that the person who was his guide, by a special Providence of God mistook his way, and so led him by a By-way to the place,A special providence. whereby he escaped their hands, as afterwards came to his knowledge, for which he praised God as his only deliverer: But these men in the mean time neither spared Ministers nor Lay-men. One notable example we have of their wickedness which is not be passed over in silence: One of Augustines Society being called to be Bishop at Calamen, was very careful to propagate the Truth, and to beat down Heresies: but whilst he was going from Town to Town about this business,The cruelty of Schismaticks. he fell into the hands of the Rebaptizing Donatists who lay in wait for him; these men took away the Beasts both from him and his company, and all their necessaries, beating the Bishop very cruelly: Hereupon the Proconsul being made acquainted with it, sent for Crispin the Bishop of the Donatists in that place, and set a fine upon him according to the wholesom Laws made against Hereticks. But Crispin denyed himself to be an Heretick; whereupon a Disputation was appointed at Carthage between these two Bishops, which was to be in the presence of Augustine, and the Eyes of all Africk were fixed upon the event of it: To be brief, the Bishops met, and after three days Disputation Crispin was overthrown, and by the Proconsul was adjudged and condemned for an Heretick: but he not standing to this sentence, appealed to the Emperour, who patiently heard all the cause, and at last concluded that the Donatists were Hereticks,The Donatists condemned for Hereticks. that they ought not to be suffered in any Publick places, and that the Laws against Hereticks should be put in Execution against them: whereupon Crispin was fined in two pounds of Gold: But the Catholick Bishops, and especially Augustine so prevailed with the godly Emperour that the rigour of his sentence was taken from them: which Piety and Charity of theirs much conduced to the encrease of the Church.
Not long after there was a Council held at Carthage by the appointment of the good Emperour Honorius, A Council at Carthage.who sent thither a Tribune and a Publick Notary to supply his own place: This Council consisted of the Bishops both Catholicks and Donatists: wherein the Donatists being heard to the full whatsoever they could say for the defence of their opinions, were fully confuted by the Catholicks, and condemned for their Errors, and by the Emperours Judge were declared to be Hereticks: Their Persecutions also against the Catholicks were declared even to the cutting off their members, and taking away of their Lives to the great disturbance of the Peace of the Church: But after this Council was dissolved, many of their friends reported that they were not suffered to speak all they could for themselves and their cause, because that the Judge appointed by the Emperour was too favourable to the Catholicks: which yet appeared to be but a poor shift to excuse the weakness of their cause, seeing that they knew him to be a Catholick before the Disputation began, and yet never excepted against him.
Not long after there was another Council assembled at Caesarea, A Council at Caesarea.a chief City in Mauritania, for the setling of other affairs of the Church. In this City was Emeritas the Bishop of the Donatists, a chief defender of his Sect, and one whom they most relyed upon: Him therefore Augustine singled out, and in the Publick Congregation challenged him, desiring him now to produce what he had further to say for his Opinions, seeing his friends gave out that formerly he could not be suffered to do it at Carthage; but now he had full liberty and security being in his own City, and environed with his friends; Notwithstanding which, neither by this Exhortation of Augustine, neither by the instant request of his Parents and Friends could he be perswaded to it, though they told him that they would all be of his Communion, though they lost their Estates, or underwent any other temporal punishment, if he could overthrow the Catholick assertions: yet nothing would prevail with him, having indeed nothing to say more then he had spoken before: which distrust of his cause, through Gods mercy, turned to the great advantage of the Church, which was much encreased and confirmed hereby.
At another time at Carthage many Manichees being brought before him,Manichees converted. of those whom they called Elect men, and Elect women, Augustine who had formerly known that execrable Sect, produced their damnable blasphemies out of their own Books, and at length brought them to an acknowledgement of their blasphemies: and those Elect women also confessed what filthy things had been (according to their customs) committed amongst them: all which things exceedingly redounded to the benefit of the Church, and to the securing of the flock against such thieves. There was also a certain Noble man called Pascentius an Arian, The craft of an Arian.by whose authority the tribute was exacted with much rigour, the Catholick Faith was much opposed, and many godly Ministers were much molested and troubled; Augustine coming to Carthage where he was, profered to dispute with him in the presence of many Noble men: But this Heretick, though he accepted the challenge, would by no means suffer any thing to be written which passed betwixt them: his pretence was, least that which was written might be made use of against him to his prejudice because of the Law: Hereupon Augustine consented privately to dispute with him without Notaries; yet withall foretelling that after the Disputation every one would take liberty to make what reports they pleased of things never spoken, because there was nothing set down in writing to refel them. Augustine in the conference declared his Faith and Judgement, requiring an account of the same from the other; by Arguments and Authority of the Scriptures he confirmed his own, and refelled the Errors of the other; which so enraged him that he brake up the conference,Hereticks, Lyars. and when he was departed, he falsly reported that he had overcome Augustine, and scattered abroad many such lyes; which coming to the Ears of Augustine, he was compelled to write to Pascontius, and therein to set down all the passages of the conference, which if he should deny, he was able to produce many witnesses for the proof thereof both worthy and Honorable men, who were then present: But he being thus twice written to by Augustine scarce returned a single answer, wherein also he rather railed, then asserted his Opinions.
Also when the Goths came into Africk, there came along with them one Maximus an Arian Bishop,Augustine con…utes an Arian. who coming to Hippo, at the earnest request of many godly and eminent men, and in their presence Augustine entred into the Lists with him, having Notaries to write down all that passed betwixt them: His Adversary shewed more subtilty then solidity, but the Truth prevailed: yet this impudent Heretick when he was returned to Carthage amongst his own Sectaries, lyingly boasted that he came away with the Victory: whereupon Augustine was enforced to publish in writing a Narrative of the whole Disputation with all the Objections and Answers, withall shewing wherein Maximus failed, and to what Arguments he was able to give no Answer.
He took great pains also by the space of ten years against the Pelagians, His zeal aginst Pelagians.who were subtle Disputants, publishing their Heresies by a very cunning way, and endeavouring to propagate them not only in Publick but from house to house: Against these Augustine wrote many Books, and often disputed with them in the Congregation, both to reduce them, and preserve others from the infection of their Errors. He was the Author also of calling many Councils in Africk against them, who wrote to the Bishop of Rome that that Heresie was abominable, and to be condemned by all that adhered to the Catholick Faith: whereupon the godly Emperour Honorius taking cognizance of it, condemned it by his Laws, and appointed the holders of it to be reckoned amongst the Hereticks; whereby many of them forsaking their Errors, returned to the true Church again. Thus was this holy man of God Augustine very solicitous about, and careful of the safety of the whole Church; and truly God gave him much comfort and occasion of rejoycing in the fruit of his labors even in this life:The success of his Ministry. First in Hippo and the Country thereabouts, which was more immediately under his charge, the Churches thereof enjoying much Unity and Peace: Then in other more remote parts of Africk, which either by his labors, or by the labors of such of his Society as were called forth to be Bishops and Ministers in other places, were very much established in the Truth; many Manichees, Donatists, Pelagians, and Pagans being converted from their Errors, and rejoycing that they were now made Members of the true Church.His patience. He was very patient towards all men: he bore with the infirmities of the weak, mourned for the sins of the wicked, both of such as were within and without the Church, rejoycing when any were gained to the Lord, and weeping when any were lost.His great labors. So many things were dictated and published by him, so many Disputations held in the Church, so many things written against Hereticks, and so many Books of Sacred Scripture expounded by him for the edification of the godly, that a studious man all his life long can scarcely know and read over. And knowing the duty imposed by Saint Paul, 1 Cor. 6. 1, &c. of endeavouring to decide Controversies, he was very forward whensoever he was requested either by Christians, or by men of any other Sect to compromise and decide their Controversies, with much patience and prudence hearing both parties, that so he might pass a righteous sentence; and that he might the more fully take cognizance of the cause, he used sometime to spend a whole day fasting to hear the same, always taking advantage thereby to do what possible good he could to their souls, like a good Steward Preaching the Word in season, out of season, Exhorting, Instructing and Reproving with all long suffering and Doctrine, endeavouring to instruct the Ignorant, and to quicken those that were remiss in the way to Heaven. Many Letters he wrote to such as sought to him for counsel and direction in their secular affairs: But this he thought a trouble to him, and hinderance from better imployments, and therefore he always thought best of those who would either write or speak to him about Heavenly businesses. He seldom was absent from the Councils which were often held in divers Provinces, yet always seeking therein the things which were of God,His humility. and not his own advantage: His endeavour was that the Faith of the Holy Catholick Church might be preserved inviolate: that such Ministers as were unjustly Excommunicate might be absolved: that such as were wicked and obstinate might be cast out. In the Ordination of Ministers he always judged that the consent of the godly should concur in it, and that the custom of the Church should not be violated.
Upon a time Augustine, A special Providence.forgetting the Argument which he first proposed to pro…ecute, fell upon a confutation of the Manichees: and one Firmus a rich Merchant, and a Manichee, hearing him, was so convinced, that he came to him after, and with tears, on his knees, confessed his Errors, and promised Reformation. Also one Felix a Manichee, coming to Hippo to spread his Heresie, in a Disputation with Augustine after the third time, was so convinced, that he recanted his Errors, and was joined to the Church. He was termed Hereticorum Malleus, The hammer against Hereticks. He won also many Pagans to embrace the Truth. He took much pains in ending disferences. His Apparel was neither sumptuous nor sordid:His humility. his Diet usually was Broth and Roots, (He used to say, Non ego immunditiam obsonii timeo, sed immunditiam cupid…tatis. Scio enim Noe omne genus carnis quod cibo esset usui m…nducare permissum, & Heliam Cibo carnis refectum, &c) Though for his Guests and sick-folks, he had better: His Dishes for his meat were of Earth or Wood, or Marble: His Table rather for Discourse and Disputation then for rich Banqueting, and it had Ingraven upon it,
Quisquis amat dictis absentem rodere famam,
Hanc mensam indictam noverit esse sibi.
He that doth love an absent friend to jeer,
May hence depart, no room is for him heer.
Which rule some of his Fellow Bishops upon a time forgetting, he sharply reprehended them for it, and told them that he must either blot those Verses out of his Table, or arise from dinner, and go to his chamber.
He would never buy either House or Land: but any thing that was given to the Church he would not refuse it:His prudence. yet he often refused Inheritances, when dying persons would have given them to the Church; not but that he thought the… might be profitable to the Poor: but because he judged it fit and equal that their Children, Parents, or Kindred should rather inherit them: often saying, that it was fitter that Legacies should be left to the Church then Inheritances, which are troublesome, and sometimes chargeable; yet those Legacies he would have freely given, and not begged or extorted from men. He was almost wholly taken up with heavenly affairs, wherein he labored both day and night, with Mary, choosing the better part, which could not be taken from him.His charity. He was very careful of the Poor, and in case of great want would …ell the Ornaments of the Church for their relief. And when the Church stock was spent, he used to declare to the people, that he had nothing left wherewith to relieve the Poor, that thereby he might stir up their charity to contribute to so good a work. All his Presbyters lived with him in the same House, fed with him at the same Table, and were maintained and clothed out of the common purse. He always judged it fit that Ministers should be present at Marriages, both to testifie the mutual consents and compromises, and to bestow his Benediction upon the married persons. He always kept Scholars in his house, whom he fed and clothed. He was so severe against Oaths, that he abated of their allowance to those that swore.Oaths. He never admitted women into his house, though of his own kindred; no not his own Sister when she was a Widdow, and had wholly devoted her self to the Service of God; nor his Uncles daughter; nor his Brothers daughter; saying, that though they might dwell in his house without suspition; yet they could not be without Maids, or other Women would come to visit them, which could not be without offence and scandal; and when any Women sent to him, being desirous to see or speak with him, he would always have some of his Ministers present, and would never speak with them alone. He praised one, who when he was sick said; I have not lived so, that I am ashamed to live longer; nor do I fear to dye, having so good a Master to go to.
In his latter days he looked over all his Books: Those which he wrote at his first Conversion whilst he was a Lay-man, and those which he wrote when he was a Minister; and lastly, those which he wrote when he was a Bishop; and whatsoever he found in them less agreeing with the Word of God, and the Ecclesiastical Constitutions, he corrected, or retracted: Of which he wrote two Volumes,His Retractations. which he called his Retractations. He complained also that some Ministers had gotten and divulged some of his Books, before he had perfected them, though afterwards he amended them. Yet being prevented by death he left some of his Books unperfected.His works. And being desirous to profit all, knowing that many were desirous to read much, which yet for want of time they could not do, out of the Old and New Testament he collected such Precepts as concerned the rule of a Christian Life; and such things as were forbidden in the same; which he composed into a Book, adding a Preface to it, that so every one which pleased might read it, and thereby discern how obedient or disobedient he was unto God; and this he called A Looking-Glass.
But shortly after brake out (by the permission of God) that hideous inundation of Goths and Vandals, and other Northern people,The coming of the Goths into Africk. who were ensis Dei, Gods sword to punish the pride of the Romane Empire. These sailing out of Spain arrived in Africk, over-running the whole Country of Mauritania and other African Provinces and Countries, laying all waste before them, and destroying all they could with barbarous cruelty and inhumanity, filling all places with torments of all sorts,Their horrible cruelties. See more of it in my General Martyrology. murthers, burnings, and with innumerable and abominable depopulations, sparing neither sex nor age; no not the Ministers of Jesus Christ: The Churches Ornaments they plundered, the Churches themselves they demolished, and like incarnate Devils made havock of all. This holy man of God lived to see these grievous calamities, and was not affected with them only as other men were: but considering them more deeply and profoundly, and in them foreseeing the great danger of souls, he poured forth Prayers and tears day and night. For he saw Cities subverted, Villages destroyed; the Inhabitants being either slain or driven away: Churches destitute of Ministers: holy Virgins defloured; some of them dying under their torments; some slain with the sword; some led into captivity, in danger of having their souls infected with Error and Heresie, and their bodies enslaved under a cruel Enemy. He saw the Psalms of Thanksgiving ceased in the Congregations: the Temples burned: and the solemn Assemblies to be given over: The Sacraments either not to be sought after; or none to dispense them to those that desired them: And for those which fled into Mountains, Woods, Desarts, Caves of the Earth, or to any other places of refuge, they were either hunted out and slain, or perished with famine and drought. The Bishops and Ministers of Churches, (which had by the goodness of …od) escaped their bloody hands, being spoiled of all things, went about begging their bread. He scarce saw of all the innumerable Churches of Africk, three remaining, viz. Carthage, Hippo, and Circe, which through Gods mercy yet remained in some safety: though not long after his death Hippo being sorsaken of her Inhabitants,Augustine dies before the taking of Hippo. was burned by the Enemy. These things this good man much bewailed; and that which much encreased his sorrow was, that just now the Enemies were coming to besiege Hippo, the Governor whereof was one Earl Boniface. This siege lasted fourteen moneths, wherein Augustine with his fellow Bishops that were fled thither for refuge, and his Presbyters, exercised themselves wholly in Prayers and Tears, intreating the Father of Mercies to be merciful to them, and to preserve his Church from the rage of the Adversaries. And one day as they sate at dinner together, Augustine said to them; You know Brethren, that from the beginning of this siege, my daily Prayers have been, that God would either free us from it, or give his servants patience and courage to undergo what he imposeth, or to take me out of this present evil World;His faith. and I believe that God will answer my desire, And indeed accordingly in the third monethmonth of the siege he fell sick of a Feaver, which proved his last sickness; neither would God defraud his servant of the fruit of his Prayers;The power of his prayers. And indeed he was very powerful in Prayers, so that sometimes thereby he hath cast out Devils, and restored sick men to their health.His death. His Feaver proved so violent, that he dyed in the same third monethmonth of the siege. In his sickness he breathed forth most pious ejaculations:His poverty. He made no Will, having nothing to bestow, but only Books upon several Libraries. He dyed Aged 76. Anno Christi 430. having been a Minister 40 years. It's written of him, that after his first Conversion to the Faith he was grievously vexed with inward conflicts against his corrupt affections, complaining of his inward, hereditary, habitual, inveterate vices; and after long strugling with them by purposes, vows, strong resolutions, watching, fasting, self-revenge, and other good means, finding still his own weakness, and the encreasing violence of his corruptions, as he was intentively musing and meditating what to do more, he heard a voice saying, In te stas, & non stas; whereupon rightly apprehending that his own strength of wit, carnal reason, and other powers and helps of nature could not serve the turn for the effecting of that which was the proper and peculiar work of Grace, he betook himself to his Saviour by humble, faithful, and fervent Prayer; and at last found such assistance from the Holy Spirit of Grace, as strengthned him to stand and make good his resolutions with more comfort then before. His usual with was, that Christ when he came might finde him aut Precantem, aut Praedicantem, either Praying, or Preaching. When the Donatists upbraided him unworthily with the impiety and impurity of his former Life,An excellent speech. Look (said he) how much they blame my former fault, by so much the more I commend and praise my Physitian.
He used to say, His sayings.Holy Marriage is better then proud Virginity. And again, Prayer.Prayer that is pure, and holy, pierceth Heaven, and returns not empty. It's a shelter to the Soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to the Divel. And again, There is nothing that more abateth sin, then the frequent meditation of Death:Death. He cannot die ill that lived well; aud seldom doth he die well that lived ill. A Christian at home in his house must think himself a stranger;Christians are pilgrims. and that his Country is above where he shall be no stranger. And again, If men want wealth, it is not to be unjustly gotten: if they have it, they ought by good works to lay it up in Heaven. He that hath tasted the sweetness of Divine love, will not care for temporal sweetness. The reasonable Soul made in the likeness of God, may here finde much careful distraction, but no full satisfaction; for it being capable of God, can be satisfied with nothing but God. Not to be without affliction, but to overcome affliction is blessedness. Love is strong as death; for as death kils the body, so love of eternal life kils worldly desires and affections. He called Ingratitude the Devils Sponge, Ingratitude.wherewith he wipes out all the favors of the Almighty. He so admired and loved the seven Penitential Psalms, that he caused them to be written in great letters, and hung within the curtains of his Deathbed, that so he might give up the Ghost in the contemplation and meditation of them. His Prayer was, Lord, give first what thou requirest, and then require of me what thou wilt. And, He that prays well, cannot chuse but live well.
His Works are printed in nine Tomes at Basil by Froben.His works.